What is the cheapest city in Illinois to buy a car? The results might surprise you. To save you time and effort, we’ve collected data from the US Census and our own research to find the answer to this question.
If you’re in the market for a new car, you may be looking to save money on your purchase by buying your car in an inexpensive area of Illinois.
Unfortunately, there are so many small towns and suburbs around Chicago that it can be difficult to figure out where the cheapest city in Illinois to buy a car if you want to spend as little money as possible.
Top 10 Cheapest City in Illinois to Buy a Car
In order to find the cheapest car in Illinois, we used data from the 2022 Consumer Reports Cost of Driving Study.
This study takes into account six factors: depreciation, fuel costs, maintenance and repairs, insurance premiums, license and registration fees, and sales tax.
We found that the cheapest cities are Chicago, Springfield, Carbondale, Bloomington, Joliet, Naperville, Waukegan, Aurora, Evanston, and Elgin.
Our list will give you the cheapest city for each category so you can get an idea of which city might be best for you.
1. Chicago
You’ll find that the cheapest car in Chicago is found in lots of different places. If you’re looking for an old, used car and don’t care about its make and model, then you can probably find it at a junkyard.
At some junkyards, cars are priced by weight and end up being very affordable. You might also find affordable used cars on Craigslist or other classified sites like Autotrader.
Other options include checking out local dealerships that sell used cars as well as independent sellers who list their autos on various websites.
2. Springfield
Cheap doesn’t have to mean bad. Illinois has some of the cheapest cars in Springfield, making them a great choice for anyone on a budget.
Whether you’re just driving around town or looking for something that can handle an all-terrain trip, Springfield has plenty of new and used car dealers catering to all your car needs.
If you’re looking for a new and affordable used vehicle in Springfield (Illinois), don’t hesitate.
Just take this quick quiz and our panel of experts will help put you in touch with an experienced local dealer near you.
3. Carbondale
When you’re shopping for a car, it can be hard to know where to start. The affordability of vehicles can range all over the map depending on who you talk to and what site you visit.
And when you’re hunting for your first car, there are only so many affordable cars worth looking at.
One idea is that Carbondale has some of the cheapest cars in Illinois—if not the cheapest cars overall.
4. Bloomington
In terms of the cheapest car in Illinois, Bloomington might not be at the top of your list. Not too many people know about Bloomington and it is considered an unincorporated area.
It is right off I-294 and close to 290, which can make traveling through town pretty simple.
People who come here typically want affordable housing or cheaper college tuition because they are paying out-of-state tuition.
For those who are interested in attending school on campus, Indiana University is located here as well.
5. Joliet
If you’re looking for the cheapest car in Illinois, Joliet is your best bet. The city has an average listing price of $6,000 on cars.
This is a far cry from the $20,000-plus prices seen in other cities like Chicago and Naperville. If you want even cheaper options than that, head to Rantoul (average list price: $4,700) or Champaign ($5,400).
While these places may not be as big as Chicago or Champaign (with populations of 2.7 million and 230 thousand respectively), they are still worth considering if you’re looking for cheap deals!
6. Naperville
A new car can be an expensive investment, and while it’s important to take your time when buying one, that doesn’t mean you should spend hours searching for the cheapest car in Illinois.
The truth is that while certain cars are cheaper than others, there is no single city where all cars are cheaper.
In fact, some cities like Naperville offer access to cheap luxury vehicles. If you’re looking for the cheapest car in Illinois, this might not be the place to go.
However, if you want to explore different brands at more affordable prices, this is an excellent option.
7. Waukegan
When deciding where to buy a car, you should consider the distance you will drive each year and if that city has competitive pricing. Waukegan is one of these cities that meets those requirements.
The average price for the cheapest car in Waukegan is around $14,000, which puts it at about $3,000 cheaper than most major metropolitan areas like Chicago.
Moreover, Waukegan offers an incentive for people who buy electric vehicles with income restrictions.
At this rate, not only are you saving money on gas but also free parking and license plates at no additional cost.
8. Aurora
In Aurora, you’ll be able to find many car dealerships that offer used cars. If you’re looking for something more affordable and up-to-date, then try looking at some of the big-name dealerships and luxury stores.
AutoNation is just one company that offers top-of-the-line new cars as well as pre-owned vehicles.
This is just one place you should visit when shopping around for the cheapest car in Illinois. Check out other cities such as Bloomington and Champaign too.
9. Evanston
So, you want to buy a car but you don’t know what city has the cheapest cars in Illinois. Do not worry! The answer is Evanston.
Some people may believe that this is a subjective answer and can be debated, but it really doesn’t have much else going for it other than being cheap.
So unless you are looking for something else more specific, this may be your best bet. And if Evanston doesn’t work out then Joliet could also work out because of its used car lots that are only five miles away from one another.
And lastly, if you’re in search of something even cheaper there is always Rockford because they have $3000 cars.
10. Elgin
When it comes to buying a car, everyone has their own opinions about which city is the cheapest for consumers.
A quick Google search of the Cheapest car in Illinois brought up a list of destinations as well as nearby states for an Elgin resident.
Elgin, according to research, is one of the cheapest places for residents who want to buy a new car–the median price was around $16,000.
Read also: What is The Cheapest City in Maine to Buy a Car
The Final Verdict
What is the cheapest city in Illinois to buy a car? If you’re just looking for an affordable place, then Chicago is your best bet with an average price of $5,000.
Chicago also offers more incentives and bonuses than most other cities making it even more affordable.
